Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Goldin and Ehlers Shoot New Opening Reel

A new video on SoapNet.com shows Beth Ehlers (Taylor Thompson) shooting her real for her new opening credits shot. Ricky Paull Goldin (Dr. Jake Martin) was also onset to shoot his opening reel and promotional photos that ran in the July 19th issue of Soap Opera Digest.

Ehlers looks amazing onset. I wish they would also shoot promotional photos on the Opening Credits set. That way, everyone would have up to date promotional photos and their would be a consistency to them. Or, ABC can wake up and rehire their best promotional photographer ever, Yolanda Perez.

Where Are They Now? Brian Gaskill (ex-Bobby Warner, 1995-1997)

Brian Gaskill grew up getting a daily fix of life in Pine Valley with his mother, and continued checking in long after he left the role of Bobby. Though he turned down an offer to reprise his role in 2003, rumors have it Gaskill wants back in.

See what Gaskill's up to now and more in his interview HERE.
And the Big Man Speaks

More from new Headwriter Charles Pratt and his vision for the future of All My Children HERE.

Expect a commentary.... a long one.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Bruening Promotes New Series at Annual San Diego International Comic Convention

Justin Bruening (ex-Jamie Martin; pictured r. with onscreen father Michael Knight Tad Martin) spent the weekend at the San Diego Comic Convention promoting the new Knight Rider series, scheduled for 8:00pm EST Wednesdays this fall on NBC. Bruening takes on the lead role of Mike Tracer, the son of original Rider Michael Knight (former soap star David Hasselhoff).

To see pictures and learn more about the chances of Josh Duhamel (ex-Leo duPres) making a cameo on the new series, check out the following articles: Article 1, Article 2, Article 3.

Imaginary Bitches: All Eden and Elizabeth, All the Time

Eden Riegel (ex-Bianca) and Elizabeth Hendrickson (ex-Maggie) take the lead in this week's episode of Imaginary Bitches. Man, the people at AMC sure ignored Hendrickson's natural knack for comedy.
Lau Lands in Oakdale

After his recent stint back in Pine Valley, Laurence Lau (ex-Greg Nelson) has landed another Daytime gig. This time he will appearing on Proctor & Gamble's As the World Turns as Brian Wheatley. Lau once starred on another P&G program, Another World as Jamie Frame.

Tune into CBS on August 18th at 2:00pm EST to catch Lau's first day.

Source: Soap Opera Digest

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Flashback 1999: Jake is Colby's Father

It's funny to think it was less than a decade ago that Dr. Jake Martin (then Michael Lowry) was holding baby Colby Chandler in his arms.

Now, she has the hots for a second year resident and war veteran all the while slipping schwigs of Vodka under the table. Oh, they grow up so quickly.

Check out Jake (now Ricky Paull Goldin) recounting the story to Angie:

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Gaskill Turns to Table on Fans

Brian Gaskill (ex-Bobby Warner) turned the table on his fans at this week's General Hospital Fan Weekend in Los Angeles with his direct to Youtube video. Though Gaskill never starred on GH, he did have a run on spin-off Port Charles before its cancellation in 2003.
Flashback: The Tornado 1994


If Pratt thinks he can remake one of show's most classic moments, I hope her references the production stills and videos from that time. Talk about umbrella storyline. We had the Martins struggling to save their beloved son, Kendall struck a deal with the devil to save her hide, and Gloria's moment for revenge against her manipulative husband was overshadowed by one of the worst disasters Pine Valley ever saw.

Beat that Pratt. Don't think you can do it? Then don't.
You Can't Mess With a Classic: Opal

Jill Larson (Opal Cortlandt) continues to steal the scene every time the writers invite her to make her all to rare cameos. Today, we saw shades of the classic Opal: a dark determined maven, hidden behind a comedic facade. She lured Sam Woods in with her southern hick charm, and went for the kill when the topic turned to his blossoming relationship with best gal pal Erica Kane.

Let's hope the new regime continues to utilize Larson and her acumen for the dramatics. In a perfect world, by year's end Larson will be back on Contract with the other show veterans where she belongs.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

The Insta-Couple Cometh: ABC Launches Marketing Blitz Around Goldin and Ehlers

Since the 2008 Daytime Emmys, ABC has done very little to conceal the fact that they landed soap opera veteran Beth Ehlers as Taylor Thompson on All My Children. They have done an even worst job of hiding the fact that they plan to reunite her with former Guiding Light co-star Ricky Paull Goldin (Dr. Jake Martin).

Though I will give them credit for doing a storyline about current issues (is AMC the first soap to address the War on Terror?), this whole situation has the stench of an the ill fated, plot driven, disastrous soap opera "insta-couples" (ie: Jax and Sam on General Hospital). Oh Pratty, do you never learn.

Check out ABC's latest promo:


Note: Goldin and Ehlers are not really Emmy winners. Nominees, yes. Winners, no.
Casualty Count: Egglesfield Dropped From Contract, First Victim of Regime Change

A preview of Soap Opera Digest reveals Colin Egglesfield (Dr. Josh Madden) has been dropped from contract. He must be the leading man that Nelson Branco reported had been let go late last week.

While I am relieved it is not a veteran, Egglesfield is a talented actor who made one of the most disastrous storylines, the Un-abortion, bearable. He had so much natural chemistry with Alexa Havins (ex-Babe Carey), and continues to light the stage on fire opposite on-screen sister Alicia Mishew (Kendall Slater).

This is a surprising move on new Headwriter Charles Pratt's part, as his new bible supposedly revolves heavily around Erica Kane. You would think that would include some family drama with her only son Josh.

Let's hope that when Pratt suggests he is recurring, we'll actually see Josh from time to time. Lately the term "recurring" seems to mean, "we're not giving him a proper send off, so we'll tell the audiance there may be a slim chance to see him again."
Exhibit A: John James (ex-Dr. Jeff Martin)
Exhibit B: Tonya Pinkins (ex-Livia Cudahy)
Exhibit C: Alec Musser (ex-Del Henry)
Must I go on?
The Stork Visits Two Pine Valley Stars... Sort Of

Soap Opera Digest reports Jacob Young (JR Chandler) and wife Christen Young announced they are expecting a son, Luke Wayne Young, in New York. An ironic twist to the story is that Young's son will share the same name as the character he played on General Hospital, where he starred until 2003.

Susan Lucci (Erica Kane) also reports she is expecting a second grandchild. Daughter Liza Huber (Passion's Gwen) and husband Alex Hesterberg are expecting their second child. They had a son last year named Royce.
A Light At the End of the Tunnel

As critical as I am of Pratt's early plans for Pine Valley, I will give the man credit for pointing out the obvious: Adam (David Canary) and Erica (Susan Lucci) should be front and center.

These Emmy Award Winners have carried the show through some of the darkest times (I think a shout out should go to John Callahan (ex-Edmund) who made the drivel of the late '90s bearable with his natural charisma). Also, they are the head of two of Pine Valley's most complex and well liked families.

Maybe this refocus will give some other actors a time to shine. I would love to see some of the extended Chandler family return full time to the canvas, like Marian or Scotty. In terms of the Kanes, they have the talented Colin Egglesfield (Josh Madden) sitting on the the sidelines when he can easily become Pine Valley's next heroic lead.

So thanks Charlie for this little gift. Don't let us down.
A Super-Couple in the Making

When you look up "star-crossed lovers" in any dictionary in Pine Valley, you'll see a picture of Petey Cortlandt (the incredible, offer him a contract please Daniel Kennedy) and Colby Chandler (Brianne Moncrief).

Raised as friends, born as rivals, could love be in the future? If Pratt knows what's good for him, the answer better be yes.

Monday, July 21, 2008

... and the Storm has arrived.

Be afraid viewers... very afraid.

Source: Soap Opera Digest
Enjoy the Calm Before the Storm

Canadian Soap Opera guru Nelson Branco sheds some light on Pratt's upcoming plans for Pine Valley in his latest column. For an excerpt:
-Sources are telling me hot newcomer Yaya DaCosta is leaving the show as Cassandra mid-August. Also, spies claim new head writer Chuck Pratt Jr. is planning around “a tornado” as his big umbrella storyline. “Two characters die,” they report. No word if GH scribe Bob Guza is pulling Pratt’s puppet strings. Also, expect Pine Valley “to look very different come 2009,” says the snitch. ABC doesn’t comment on rumours.

-Whatever you do, don’t miss Beth Ehlers’ (Taylor) debut on July 24. Taylor is a relatable war hero from Iraq (is there any other kind?) and is connected to Frank. Taylor will butt heads with Jake immediately, but won’t be romantically linked to him for a while, maintains a show spy. AMC creator, Agnes Nixon reportedly loves the timely storyline, which reminds her of the Vietnam opus she told decades ago.

-Mario Van Peebles, who is recurring as Samuel, is said to be exiting the show. The big question is: will anyone notice he’s gone?

-Insiders insist Melissa Claire Egan isn’t leaving as the increasingly disturbed Annie, but as one reliable setsider pointed out, “we have a new head writer so most of us don’t know what he has planned, but from what I hear she is a goner.” More proof: a tornado is reportedly brewing… and it will hit Pine Valley (couldn’t it make a pit stop by Springfield, first?). Plus, how long can we have two Greenlees running around town chasing after Ryan? This soap needs more blondes!

-This just in: A major star has been fired! Unfortunately, the actor has not been informed yet and I’m sworn to secrecy. Expect a few more exits in the near future as AMC whittles down its cast.

I am already getting uneasy reading about his work. Another tornado to tarnish the legacy of the past? A big actor being let go? Releasing Melissa Egan in my opinion is a big mistake. She can very well become Pine Valley's answer to Sunset Beach's Annie Douglas (then Sarah Buxton), a scheming woman scorned who floats through the canvas seamlessly being a catalyst for various storylines.

Let's all take our guess as to what major star was just fired. I am guessing James Mitchell (Palmer Cortlandt). Jimmy has rarely been onscreen because of his health, and Pratt is not known for respecting this fact (ie: General Hospital's Anna Lee).
Fickett's Life Takes Tragic Turn After Leaving Pine Valley

My favorite All My Children star Mary Fickett (ex-Ruth Martin) is featured in Fredericksburg's The Free Lance Star article HERE.

It is hard to believe that one of the program's most talented, and vivacious actresses is now bedridden with a failing memory. Though she is probably must famously known for her Ruth's powerful anti-war speech after Phil was drafted to the Vietnam war, I will always remember her subtle performances on and around the days Tad died in 1990. Fickett is a class act, a real actor's actor.

I have made my opinions clear that I never condoned the recast of Ruth with Lee Meriweather. It appears as if the recast was surprise for Mary as well. Unlike the situation with many veterans today, Mary declined a sure contract to go on recurring. She was on recurring for a year before Lee came on. Mary, ever the classy woman, agreed to reprise the role from 1998-2003 after the falling out Lee had with the show in regards to her own contract's renewal.

Though many criticize the show for pushing Lee's Ruth into the background, I thought it was so disrespectful to longtime fans and Mary, a founding cast member, to even recast. Now with it clear that Mary will never be coming home, I think it is time to finally retire the character of Ruth and give Mary the proper send-off that her 25 years plus career at ABC deserves.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Editor's Note: The Future of the All My Children History Project

Fellow Pine Valley Fans and Loyal Readers,
First off, I wanted to thank you for all your years of support in my mission to create the most comprehensive site about All My Children program history, something I think The All My Children History Project has truly become. I want to prompt this letter by saying this is not me signing off, and I have no immediate plans to close the site... but the site is going to see a massive makeover soon in not only how the site will look, but what it will feature and report and how it is run from here on out.

If any of you have been around from the beginning, I started out in 2003 as nothing more than a MSN Group to feature pictorial family trees created for the Pine Valley Bulletin. That slowly expanded with the addition of a comprehensive photo gallery (the likes of which I believe no other website had or has), Quick Guide biographies, and a companion site chronicling the evolution of All My Children's Opening Credits.

In 2007, we moved here to the Powweb server, and finally this winter we added the blog function which has allowed for more features with recent news, YouTube flashback videos, and probably the most popular new addition, the Where Are They Now? interviews.

That being said, recent changes in my personal life have limited my ability to commit as much time as I think the site, and you the fans of All My Children, deserve. For me to make this site all it can be I need to rethink what exactly it seeks to offer to the fan community.

So this is where you guys come in! You can post a comment or email me (AMCHistory@gmail.com) with what you like about the site, what you want to see more of, and most importantly, what you want changed! Be honest... the site's not perfect but it one day can be.

I got a recent email that asked if there was an All My Children Wiki, and frankly, I am sad that there isn't one. I would hope that one day The All My Children History Project will be able to reflect the collaboration of the entire fan community the way a Wiki could.

That being said, I want to thank all of you for an awesome five years online. I hope that we have at last another five more.

Sincerely,
Pasha aka AMCHistory
Webmaster of The All My Children History Project

What Exactly Is It That You Do?

New Headwriter Charles Pratt is beginning to speak to the press about his plans for the residents of Pine Valley.

For his take on FUSION, check out the latest from TVGuide.
The AMC History Project June 2008 Top 5

1) Dr. Jake Martin (205)
2) Nina Cortlandt Warner (157)
3) Billy Clyde Tuggle (151)
4) Tad Gardner Martin (148)
5) Palmer Cortlandt (135)

This month's ranking see some new contenders, especially with a new number one biography in Jake Martin. Ricky Paull Goldin has been featured heavily in recent storylines including the Hubbard wedding disaster and the Richie Novak saga. The only other new contender was James' Mitchell's signature role as Palmer Cortlandt.

The continued high numbers for Billy Clyde Tuggle and Nina Warner suggest that another website is featuring the biographies. If that's you, please feel free to contact me so I can make you an affiliate of this site!

Also, be sure to check out The Pine Valley Bulletin's Cast List which now features the Quick Guide Biographies from the AMC History Project.
Isn't the Grass Supposed to be Greener?

Here are some quick briefs about what is going on with some All My Children alums on other daytime dramas:
  • Elizabeth Hendrickson (ex-Maggie Stone) has just signed a multi-year deal with CBS' The Young and the Restless to continue in the role of fashionista Chloe. This is Hendrickson's first major role since leaving All My Children in 2005. This unfortunately makes her unavailable for any cameos in Pine Valley, like her last stint in 2007. Check out Hendrickson's backstage vlog from co-star Tracey E. Bregman's (Lauren Fenmore Baldwin) dressing room HERE.
  • In other Genoa City news, Vincent Irizarry (ex-Dr. David Hayward) confirms on his MySpace that he has been let go. Irizarry took on the role of David Chow only months after last airing on All My Children in 2006.
  • If you were watching As The World Turns today, you saw former Dr. Jeff Martin, John James, moonlighting as another MD, Rick Decker in scenes at the Oakdale Police Department. James' role is recurring, just as supposedly is his role as Jeff.
  • Genie Francis (ex-Ceara Connor) is set to reprise her signature role of Laura Spencer on General Hospital this August. Though the Emmy Winner's run is slated to be a short one, Francis has made it clear she wants to return for the long haul.
Stause Moonlights on FuseTV

Pine Valley resident hottie Chrishell Stause (Amanda Dillon) has begun hosting duties on FuseTV's new dating show You Rock, Let's Roll. Here is what the network has to say about the show:
American Idol favorite Jared Cotter and All My Children's Chrishell Stause are giving music lovers the chance to meet three good lookin', eligible musicians from different musical genres. Then, we're leaving it up to them to decide which musician rocks their world — without ever seeing them.
For more on this unique dating show, check out their official site HERE.
The Girls Are Back... And So Are We



Eden, Heather and Catherine are back. Eden Riegel (ex-Bianca Montgomery) and husband Andrew Miller went on a vacation to Europe, necessitating a shooting hiatus.

Man, I missed those Bitches.

Sunday, July 06, 2008

Never Forget Your Roots

Kim Delaney, whose character Jenny Gardner was part of the most memorable love story on All My Children, dishes about the possibilities of returning to her old stomping ground. I love that she has never forgotten where she got her start.

You go Girl! Read the article HERE.